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CHAPTER SIX
“The Gangā, after filling the moat of Mt. Aștāpada, wanders unchecked like a serpent-demon seeking something to devour. For she digs up the fields, roots up the trees, and equalizes all high and low places. She is able to tear down walls, burst open palaces, make mansions fall down, and destroy houses. With your permission, I shall lead her, crazed like a Piśācī, causing destruction to the country, by the staff-jewel, and deposit her in the Eastern Ocean."
Then the Nāga, Jvalanaprabha, graciously replied to him, “Do as you wish. There is no obstacle to you. All the Nāgas in Bharatakşetra are under my control. Proceeding with my permission, do not fear any calamity from them.
With this reply, the Lord of Nāgas entered Rasātala. Bhagiratha broke his fast at the end of the three days' fast.
He took the staff-jewel to lead Mandākini, like an enemy who had split open the earth, uncontrolled like an unchaste woman. Bhagīratha, having a cruel arm-staff, drew the roaring river by the staff, like a wreath by a hook. Bhagiratha made the Gangā cross through the middle of the Kurus to the south of the city Hastināpura, but to the west of the Kosala-realm, to the north of Prayāga, and to the south of the Kāśis, through the Vindhyas to the south of the Angas, to the north of Magadha to the Eastern Ocean, drawing rivers that were on the way like the wind bunches of grass. From that time the tîrtha 355 was called Gangāsāgara, and because she had been led by Bhagiratha the Gangā was called Bhāgirathi.
Origin of throwing bones into the Gangā (577-582)
Wherever she destroyed the houses of the Nāgas as she went along, there Bhagiratha offered oblation to the
856 576. The mouth of the river.
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